A report from Sutton Scotney, Hampshire:
Big lorries southbound leave the A303 at the Norton turn off before the main Bullington Cross junction and drive down along narrow country lanes untill they reach the bridge over the river Dever 50 yards from the A30, and there they get stuck as the bridge is narrow and at an angle. The bridge railings and concrete supports have been demolished 4 times already this year.
We’ve had two reports from Twyford, Hampshire highlighting the madness of using the B3354 as a major road for truck movements:
I have seen a lorry hit a bus on the ‘Bugle Corner’ Twyford, Hampshire, smashing their front offside wings. The corner is too sharp for two large vehicles. I have often seen lorries riding the kerb on the same corner in order to get round each other. I am constantly afraid for anyone who walks along the road there. Since there is a very excellent motorway only half a mile away, bypassing all towns and villages. It is insane to use the minor roads. It cannot be cost-effective to wind through the villages either; much better to trundle along the motorway. Worst offenders are: Blowplast. I will take a number of photos and post them.
and
I live in Twyford, 3 miles south of Winchester. Articulated lorries, car transporters and other heavy duty vehicles are using the B3335 instead of the M3 to link to the M27. This means that they travel through the villages of Twyford and Colden Common causing mayhem for the unfortunate ones who have to live there. It is incredibly dangerous for other road users and pedestrians, in particular, older people and school children. There is a serious accident waiting to happen. Can this be stopped please? We can hardly hear the church bells ring for the noise. How awful is that for the village of Twyford?
SAT NAV technology designed to make life easier for drivers is making life harder for rural people.
People living in towns and villages near Winchester are complaining that satellite navigation systems are misdirecting drivers onto unsuitable roads.
There are a growing number of reports of lorries getting stuck on tight corners and narrow country lanes.
One village in the Meon Valley, Exton has erected a sign asking drivers to turn off their satnav systems.
Sat navs tell drivers the quickest route but many systems do not take into account the suitability of the local roads.
Now Alresford town councillor Mark Luckham is launching a campaign to minimise the problem.